Meeting with BOND, 26th April 2007
This meeting was called at the request of BOND to discuss progress with the
CASCM Regional Assistance Plan (RAP) since it was published in 2004.
Jim Maund described developments since 2004:
 Programmes to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan concluded in 2005. Since
then DFID has focused on Armenia, Georgia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
and Moldova
 Programmes to Armenia and Georgia will close in 2008 although
support to these countries will continue through multilaterals
 There will more of a focus on Central Asia to build programmes up to
£10 million by 2010. Programme administration was devolved to
Bishkek from April 07 and will be devolved to Dushanbe from
December 07 with advisory staff.
 DFID will remain in Moldova until 2010 at £4 million per year
 DFID programme aim to work with donor partners such as WB, AsDB,
EC and also with other donors such as SIDA in Moldova.
 DFID Evaluation Department will evaluate the CASCM RAP later this
year. Independent consultants will be appointed. The work schedule
will begin in June.
 The RAP will expire in 2007. The successor will be a Central Asia
strategy focused on Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and association to
Moldova.
Discussion
1. Kyrgyzstan Republic
BOND referred to a CSFC project implemented at village level. The project is
working well but they thought it needed more cultural understanding of how
government and community groups should cooperate or how to make
decentralisation work. DFID’s focus on IFIs effectively reduces support in the
field where it’s really needed. There are many agencies in the region all
working to different agendas.
DFID recognised this situation. A Drivers of Change process had highlighted
the important role to be played by media and the need to strengthen linkages
for example between water users associations and civic groups. Recently we
had seen evidence in Tajikistan of better donor harmonization that should
help improve cooperation. DFID will share the results of a Driver of Change
study with the donor community.
2. Definition of Civil Society
DFID’s definition of civil society should be broadened. DFID is sometimes
seen as unwilling to work with professional organisations such as lawyers
because they do not fit the poverty criteria. In practice BOND consider
professionals to be influential and pointed to young lawyers in Georgia as an
example, some of whom now work in the government.
3. Corruption
With corruption prevalent in the region and civil society weak, BOND asked
why DFID provides budget support.
DFID recognised the importance of corruption as a governance issue and
pointed to work to improve public financial management to improve the
budget process and encourage accountability. The RAP commits CASCM to
providing budget support. Fiduciary Risk ensures DFID funds are not provided
directly to government structures. There is a Kyrgyzstan SWAP but money is
not under direct control of the Government because of inadequate systems.
DFID usually channel funds through Trust Funds. We are channelling £2m
directly into regional development work in 2 regions of in Armenia. This has
the full support of GoA. The results of 2 recent audits, which looked into the
management of these funds, have been encouraging. Public Financial
Management arrangements in Georgia have included support to civil society
to ensure accountability.
4. Armenia
BOND asked why DFID was closing in Armenia in 2008.
DFID replied that Armenia and Georgia have reached LMIC status. With
limited resources DFID must necessarily focus on the poorest. There is good
economic growth in both countries and significant funding coming from other
channels such as the MCA. Armenia will also receive support through the EC
including provision for Budget Support and Twinning. DFID is working up
strategies on how to work with the Commission. DFID will work to ensure the
sustainability of our work in these countries and encourage linkages with the
EC to take on lessons learned through ARDEP. We are also working with Civil
Society through the Eurasia foundation and through Crisis Management
Initiative to help improve understanding of EC processes.
5. Moldova
BOND noted that DFID will close in Moldova.
DFID recognised that Moldova is the only LIC in Europe and will remained
engaged until 2010 with a programme of £4 million. Its economy is growing
and it has crossed the MIC threshold. Given the pressure on resources DFID
has had to justify maintaining support to a small country. Continuing in
Moldova to 2010 is a good outcome.
6. Consultation with EC
BOND concerned that the EC does not properly consult about operations in
Central Asia. Initially the EC delegation in Almaty was keen on discussion with
civil society about the draft NIP. Sadly there has been no subsequent
discussion or information provided. What could NGOs do?
DFID replied that it was under strong direction to influence the EC. DFID has
an SNE secondment in Relex who suggests influencing the EC is best done
locally. DFID is preparing a country by country strategy on how we can
influence the EC and will draw in civil society to our discussions. In Tajikistan
the EU is actively involved in the donor process. In Central Asia, Arthur van
Diesen (Civic Engagement and Accountability Adviser) hosted a meeting with
NGOs which will be the first of a series.
7. Labour Migration
BOND asked whether DFID is dealing with Labour Migration issues.
DFID confirmed that it was and that an ECAD adviser is working specifically
on the impact of remittances. DFID has discussed with IOM the potential of
investment from remittances in Tajikistan under EBRD’s Early Transition
Countries initiative. Within ECAD an internal article exists that informs our
approach that we will try to release to BOND.
8. Emigration
BOND commented that emigration has a big impact on women and livelihood
issues.
DFID referred to its TPAC (Third Party Arbitration Centre) project in Tajikistan
that women have used to help resolve land disputes. This issue is very
important in Tajikistan and has the attention of the President ahead of the
Consultative Group.
9. Credits for Farmers
BOND asked about alternative sources of credits for farmers.
DFID replied that the ECAD economist was in Central Asia week beginning
30th April as part of a multi-donor mission to various issues related to banking
reform to benefit lower income people. DFID has worked with EBRD on the
Tajikistan Micro and Small Enterprises Finance Facility (TMSFF) that appears
successful. A review of the ETC will take place later this year that could
include an assessment of TMSFF.
10. Regulation
BOND commented that the adoption of SME regulations in Tajikistan is
counterproductive. For example it can need 194 signatures to open a
restaurant. Once regulation exists corruption issues are exposed.
DFID recognise that this is difficult cycle to break. The unified donor approach
should enable pressure to be applied to take forward reform.
11. UK Parliament
Is DFID engaged with UK Parliament? BOND believe MPs are engaged in
the region but tend to focus on human rights issues. A DFID input might help
broaden the parliamentary perspective.
DFID replied that it is a requirement to report on our communication with
Parliament but in practice we have not done this very actively. We should step
up our communication with Parliament to better highlight our success.
Conclusion
Jim Maund concluded that this meeting need not be a one-off event.
Following this meeting DFID would:
 Prepare a note of the meeting including names and e-mail addresses
 Forward the note about Migration
 Feedback on the Evaluation Process
 Take note of civil society concerns during our work on ENP
 Inform BOND of the successor to the RAP and the proposed
consultation process.
DFID will discuss the Evaluation with EvD week beginning 30th April. BOND’s
concerns will be included. The EvD team will visit 3 of the 5 countries and we
will inform BOND which countries have been selected.
Participants
DFID
(Phone 020 7023 followed by the extensions below)
Jim Maund, Team Leader, j-maund@dfid.gov.uk, x0463
Melissa Harrold, Deputy m-harrold@dfid.gov.uk, x0770
Magdalena Banasiak, Infrastructure and Environment Adviser
m-banasiak@dfid.gov.uk, x1203
John Carpenter, Deputy Programme Manager, Central Asia,
j-carpenter@dfid.gov.uk , x1834
Felicity Malcolm, Programme Officer for Central Asia,
f-malcolm@dfid.gov.uk, x1037
Brian Penny, Moldova Programme Manager,
b-penny@dfid.gov.uk x1031
By video link
Evaluation Department
Iain Murray, Programme Manager,
i-murray@dfid.gov.uk, x3605
Karen Kiernan, Deputy Programme Manager,
k-kiernan@dfid.gov.uk, x3382
BOND
EveryChild,
Joanna Baskott (Jo.baskott@everychild.org.uk)
Mercy Corps Scotland,
Mark Chadwick (mchadwick@uk.mercycorps.org)
Allavida,
Jonathan Edwards (jonathane@allavida.org)
Age Concern England, Oscar Franklin (oscar.franklin@ACE.org.uk
Christian Aid,
Ben Hobbs (bhobbs@christian-aid.org
World Vision UK,
Angela Kellett (angela.kellett@worldvisin.org.uk)
EveryChild,
Chris Rayment (crayment@everychild.org.uk)
OXFAM,
Rita Saravia White (rswhite@oxfam.org.uk)
International Alert,
Juliet Schofield (jschofield@international-alert.org)
Sue Ryder Care,
Ben Simms (ben.simms@suerydercare.org)
HelpAge International,
Lewis Temple (ltemple@helpage.org)
Consumers International, Rosa Vercoe. (rvercoe@consint.org)